Highway torch



21, 1937. J GILMORE 2,102,696

HIGHWAY TORCH Filed Dec. 18, 1956 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 By Ewan/52%Aiiorneys Patented Dec. 21, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE:

HIGHWAY TORCH Michael J. Gilmore, Youngstown, Ohio Application December18, 1936, Serial No. 116,623

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a structurally new and novel highway torchcharacterized by appreciable individual features of refinementsusceptible of mutual coaction collectively to pro- 5 vide a reliableilluminated signal for requisite safeguarding usage.

One feature and structural improvement has to do with the incorporationin the torch shell or body of an elevated concave-convex bottomcalculated to facilitate reliable placement and maintenance of the torchon flat as well as inclined and comparatively irregular road surfacesand surrounding territory.

A secondary but nevertheless important feature is found in the adoptionand use of a flexible chain handle purposely substituted for a rigidcarrying bail so that the chain may reside, when not in use, in a loosehanging position not apt to become overheated.

20 Primarily, however, the chief novelty is predicated upon the specificconstruction and coordination of the neck and wick accommodating closurehaving quick separable, yet reliable, connection with said neck.

25 Other features and advantages may become more readily apparent fromthe following description and drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a highway torch constructed in accordanceWith the principles of the invention herein disclosed.

Figure 2 is a view, fragmentary in nature, and partly in section andpartly in elevation, showing the complete assemblage and the relativeassociation and arrangement of parts.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary enlarged view looking down on the neck andshowing the wick holder, its associated cap being removed for clarity ofillustration.

40 Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of the flanged accommodation andretaining neck.

Figure 5 is an elevational View of the wick holder per se.

Figure 6 is an elevational view, on a reduced scale, of the companioncap for said wick holder.

Reference being had now to the drawings, and particularly to Figure 2,it will be observed that the hollow, shell-like body is denoted by thenumeral 1 and is of somewhat conventional stubby configuration. At itstop is the aforementioned, specially constructed neck 8. This isprovided with an inturned circular flange 9 forming a ledge, said flangebeing provided on its inner periphery with depending keeper or retentionflanges l properly beveled into wedgeshaped formation as indicated at ll. The flanges are spaced apart. tov provide diametrically oppositeclearance notches l2.

The elevated concavo-convex circular bottom is denoted by the numeral I3and this is provided with a marginal channel formation l4 having ahooked terminalportion I5 interlocked with a hook on the bottom of theshell or body I. This provides the desired leak-proof interlocking jointand also forms an annular rest. That is to say, the rest l4 constitutesan ideal anchoring element in that it may be forced into snow or moistearth, or soft asphalt to guard against accidental slippage. Theelevated bottom l3 cooperates therewith in providing a sort of a suctioncup and when the device is set on plane or flat surfaces, it is evenmore effectively anchored in place.

The two-part double acting closure device is in effect a unit andcomprises a wick holder l6 and a cap member [1. The cap member comprisesa cap proper indicated at l8, the same being an inverted cup design andprovided with suitable vent and flame opening ill to provide therequisite flame guard. An annular rest 20 is formed integral with thebottom of the cap and rests removably upon the ledge Band is providedwith a rim 2| fitting telescopically down and around the neck 8. Thecompanion wick holder l6 embodies a disc-like portion 22 joined to thepart 20 and formed with an upstanding nipple 23 having a flared mouth 24providing an ideal accommodation for the wick (not shown). The part ordisc 22 is formed with a depending marginal rim 25 having diametricallyopposite notches 26 adapted to be matched with the clearance notches l2.Arranged in these notches are outbent keeper tongues 21 terminating inlateral extremities 28 which may be conveniently called spring detents.These detents or shoes 28 engage the inclined or beveled edges 26 of theflanges ill to provide the desired rotary snap-in retention action forthe closure (composed of the parts I6 and I! collectively).

As before indicated, I provide a chain handle 29 instead of the usualpivoted rigid bail or wire. When not in use this hangs down on the bodyof the torch so that it is guarded against overheating. The free ends ofthe chain are attached to pivoted fastening rings 30 secured on the bodyby appropriate anchoring clips 3|. The chain handle not only fails tobecome overheated, but drops down to an out-of-the-way position tofacilitate racking and stacking of torches on road tables, benches, andthe like. That is to say,

the flexibility of the handle promotes compactness and convenience, inhandling.

As before indicated, novelty is based on the chain handle 29 andattaching means therefor, the concavo-convex bottom [3 with itssurrounding annular rest, and the special flanged neck and two-partclosure made up of the unique features l6 and 11.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawingswill enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore,a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within thefield of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

A highway torch of the class described comprising a body provided at itstop with a neck having an inturned annular ledge, said ledge beingprovided on its inner periphery with depend-' ing arcuate flanges, saidflanges being spaced apart to provide clearance openings, and beingbeveled on their lower edges, a cap having openings therein, an annularmember surrounding the lower end of the cap and adapted to rest on theledge, a depending rim on the annular member for engaging the neck, awick tube extending into the lower part of the cap, an annular memberconnected with and extending outwardly from the lower end of the tubeand to which the annular member connected with the cap is fastened, theannular member of the tube having a depending rim extending into theneck and having notches therein, outwardly and downwardly slopingtongues located in said notches and formed with the annular member ofthe tube and having lateral extremities for engaging the beveled edgesof the flanges of the ledge for removably holding the cap and tube onthe neck.

MICHAEL J. GILMORE.

